MAY 2014 - Live shows by Samm Bennett and various ensembles

Samm and Karimata-san have worked together in a duo format several times now, and their performances are always spontaneous and unpredictable. Whether on flute, ukulele, saxophone, various ethnic wind instruments or voice, Karimata-san brings a powerful musical personality to bear on their collaborations.Spring Rolling Ducks is an evening of performances featuring two other groups, a great lineup! Here's the schedule:

Masahico Shimaji on bass (with a plethora of effects that he uses in extremely creative ways!), Chris Koh on violin (a joyously melodic epiphany!) and Samm Bennett on drums and vocal make up the improvising trio Mechanical Bear. This will be a double bill with the duo of Sato Masaharu and Sakaide Masami, and both bands will join together for a third set in one big happy soundfest!

Shinjiro Mori is a fine blues guitar stylist who I've worked with on occasion in various bands led by bluesman Rambling Steve Gardner. Shinjiro is hosting two visiting blues musicians from New Zealand: Mike Garner (guitar) and Neil Billington (harmonica). Should be a fun evening at the friendly Nakano blues spot Bright Brown (where I used to play from time to time with Medicine Bone).Bright Brown website --- map to Bright Brown

Directions: From JR Nakano Station NORTH exit, cross the bus stop/rotary area and enter the SUNMALL shopping street (pedestrian only). When you reach the COZY CORNER sweets shop, turn right. Bright Brown is a few doors down, on your left side. 2nd floor.

Pere Furu is the long-running duo project of guitarist Kido Natsuki and violinist Katsui Yuji. They are superb improvisors who I've joined on former occasions, to great musical results! Also joining the fun will be reeds man Umezu Kazutoki, who I've worked with since 1986 in various projects including the ongoing Third Person. I'll be on drums and percussion and a bit of vocal, most likely. Come on down, should be a top night of improvisational endeavor!

It's the big 14th installment of DRUNK POETS SEE GOD, where some of Tokyo's most daring and engaging wordsmiths get on the mic and show their stuff. Hosted by by Samm Bennett and singer and poet Sorcha Chisolm, this is the place to be for those who want to keep abreast of the latest in loquacious lingo! Samm (as well as other musicians, depending) will be on hand to provide instantaneous musical backing to any poet who might happen to want it, and all are welcome to read, recite, intone, chant, grumble, shout or otherwise enunciate. Fun stuff, serious stuff, flights of fancy, hilarity, stream of semi-consciousness, heaping helpings of free association and extended elocution. Hooray!

Come early (opens at 7pm) to sign up for a slot, if you want to get on the mic and let us hear what you got to say. Otherwise, just roll in for a drink and a listen! 500 yen entry charge, plus 1 drink.